LAST week Watford CEO Mark Ashton (pictured right) and Watford's Positive Futures Project were honoured by Howard Guard, the High Sheriff of Hertfordshire, at the 2008 Crimebeat Awards.

The Office of the High Sheriff is the oldest secular post under the Crown and its origins date back to the middle of the 10th Century. The functions of the High Sheriff at one time included those exercised by the Police Force, Local Government, the Court Administrator's Office and the Lieutenancy.

Today, the office is mainly ceremonial but it maintains its links with the justice system. This is why the High Sheriff's Fund makes awards to groups who are doing exemplary work in the areas of crime avoidance, crime prevention or turning around the lives of young offenders.

Positive Futures received first prize in the Crimebeat Awards section for its continued work on the Holywell Estate to deal with issues around bullying, vandalism, racism and anti-social behaviour, all using sport and arts based activities as vehicles to do this.

Gary Clifford
Gary Clifford with The High Sheriff of Hertfordshire

The project received an award of £2,000 that will be used to fund a Community Festival on the estate that will see local people, young and old from all ethnic backgrounds come together for a fun-packed day that will include:

  • The "High Sheriff's" Football Tournament
  • The "High Sheriff's" Basketball Tournament
  • Street Dance performances
  • Inflatable activities
  • Live music
  • Raffle
  • Tombola
  • Face painting
  • Food from around the world
  • Access to tickets for a Watford FC fixture next season

Chief Executive Mark Ashton received a personal High Sheriff's Award for his contribution to community work and support of Watford FC's CSE Trust. Howard Guard said: "Without Chief Exec's with the same vision and commitment to helping the local community, initiatives such as Positive Futures would not happen."

This sentiment was echoed by Gary Clifford, Positive Futures Project Officer who said: "Mark's, Aidy's and the player's support of our community projects is unrivalled.

"At no other club would you find the level of support from the top level as you do at Watford. They are as committed as the Trust to making a positive difference to people's lives within our community and help us to deliver the level of excellence we strive for."

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